Gerald Gelber
Gerald Gelber, 88, of Cranford died May 31, 2020. He was born and raised in Newark.
Dr. Gelber had a long career as a licensed psychologist-psychoanalyst in private practice. While a member of the New Jersey Psychological Association, he was one of the founders of the Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology (GSAPP), now part of Rutgers University. At various times, he taught a psychology course for nurses at Upsala College and a criminal justice course at Union College, and was a clinical assistant professor of psychiatry at New Jersey Medical School Department of Psychiatry.
He earned a Ph.D. in psychology, had a fellowship at the National Institutes of Mental Health, and underwent advanced training in psychoanalysis.
As a young man he trained in specialized fields in the U.S. Army Medical Corps and later played the trumpet in bands to earn money for his education.
He contributed to various community endeavors, serving as a board member of the Cranford Senior Housing organization, the state’s Arthur Brisbane Child Treatment Center, and Planned Parenthood of New Jersey. He was a member of the American Civil Liberties Union, and a former member of Temple Beth-El Mekor Chayim of Cranford and then Temple Emanu-El in Westfield. He played tuba in the Multigenerational Orchestra.
A passionate believer in conservation and solar energy, he started General Solar Heating, a business designing and installing solar hot water systems in New Jersey homes, including his own. He was a founder of the New Jersey Solar Energy Association. He also studied jewelry and enameling, helping to develop the Newark Museum’s enameling studio and workshop. He enjoyed photography, especially daguerreotypes, learning to make his own, and was a member and president of the American Photographical Historical Society. He was also a past commodore of the Raritan Yacht Club.
Predeceased by a son, Noah, he is survived by his wife, Joan; a son, David (Andrea); and grandchildren.
Services were held June 3 with arrangements by Menorah Chapels at Millburn, Union.
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